Former Queensland Rail (QR) chief executive Helen Gluer and another key executive reportedly spent two weeks away in Europe on a business trip before last month’s bungled timetable scandal.

Ms Gluer and QR chief operating officer Kevin Wright visited rail operators and manufacturers across Europe over two weeks in early September, The Courier Mail has claimed.

While Ms Gluer returned just a day before the Caboolture line was shutdown ahead of the disastrous Redcliffe Peninsula line launch, Mr Wright remained for a holiday until October 13 — after the worst of the driver shortage crisis had already unfolded.

The $37,524 business trip was organised to “gain valuable operating experience in the European Train Control System” a QR spokeswoman told The Courier Mail.

Mr Wright was awarded a $77,000 performance bonus the very same month — one of a total of $7 million in bonuses granted to QR executives and staff members.